Singing in General Conference Part 2

The Mother's with their Children from our ward that were performing in the Saturday Afternoon LDS General Conference Session.

LtR: Melodie Lund with Sterling, Alison Bundy with Sarah, Tara Names with Isaac, Crystal Albrecht with Cambree, Heidi McDermott with Brooke, Ashlee Frisbey with Kaleb, and Blanca Vidalas with Dylan.

The Children from our Stake (Western Springs Stake) who performed in the Choir

I have one last experience I wanted to record here on our Family Blog that I feel impressed to write about. While carpooling with several of the other mothers and their children downtown and driving around the streets of down town as we neared the Temple and Conference Center( trying to find a place to park our car), there were several protesters standing on the corners with their anti-mormon posters and shouting their messages. It was disheartening and Kaleb asked what they were doing. I explained briefly that they were protesting our beliefs and our religion for they did not agree with what we believe. There was a sad feeling in our car among me, the other mothers and their children. It hit me the most as we were walking our children through the streets as we made our way to the conference center for the protesters grew quiet as we passed. I was thankful they stopped shouting their hateful messages towards our church when we came near. This wasn't the case when we left the conference center after the session. The protesters, even though they were few in numbers after the session were protesting loudly. As I grabbed Kaleb's hand and made my way through the protesters with the other moms my heart felt empty and sad and uneasy. As we neared the street corner, there were Elders from our church singing on both sides of the side walk. They were singing hymns. Immediately, I felt a comfort as we walked between the men and the spirit was incredibly strong. My thoughts turned to the story from the book of Mormon about Lehi and his family as they made their way holding onto the iron rod and maneuvering their way to the Tree of  Life. In this dream of Nephi's,  many people tried to coerce Nephi's family to let go and to fall away from staying the course and holding onto the iron rod. I felt this exact same way as we made our way through the protesters. My heart was immediately comforted when I heard the men singing their hymns on both sides of the sidewalk and I felt like I could and would press forward with Kaleb to get to the safety of our car so we could return home. Through this experience, it was a great reminder to me that Satan's influence on me and my children in close by. How easy it could of been for us to stop and listen to what these men were preaching and get side tracked. These men could easily distract me or my son from what was most important in this life. I hope that me and my family can stay the course and not be easily influenced by Satan. I know that God Lives and so does our brother and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope that me and my family will be a forever family and can be with each other forever!

Singing in General Conference

Kaleb had the most wonderful opportunity to sing in General Conference during the Saturday afternoon session this past weekend.  Several Stakes in the Riverton area were asked to participate and our stake (Western Springs Stake) was included. Kaleb along with 7 other children (Dylan Vidalis, Sara Bundy, Cambree Albrecht, Brooke McDermott, Sterling Lund, Isaac Names and Kaleb) were chosen to participate from our ward. 

The kids had practices at our local Stake Center every Sunday evening for two hours during the month of September and one dress rehearsal down town at the Conference Center on a Saturday morning, that was held a week prior to the performance. Listening to them during their rehearsals each week was amazing. The spirit was so strong at each practice and the kids sounded like angels. Tears flowed from my face at many rehearsals because of the incredible feeling and spirit that I felt. I have never experienced anything like this! I was also overcome with emotion on many occasions as the thought came to my mind how incredibly special these primary children were. My heart just burst with feelings of how proud I was of Kaleb for making the decision to accept this call from our Bishop and sing.

The day of their performance was a special one for many reasons but the one that sticks out the most is because 3 new general authorities were announced and sustained during this session. Elder Rasband, Elder Stevenson, and Elder Rendlund were the men that were called to the Quorum of the Twelve to replace Elder L Tom Perry, Elder Richard G. Scott and Pres. Boyd K. Packer all who have passed away over the course of the past 6 months. Elder Richard G. Scott passed away just 12 days before conference. I was so thrilled for Kaleb to see this process take place and to be able to sustain them as newly called apostles. I hope Kaleb will never forget this monumental lifetime experience. I was incredibly touched by so many talks during this session and watching the newly called apostles take their seats on the stand next to Pres Monson.

These talks during the session stood out to me and spoke to my heart:

1. Elder Rober D. Hales talk: "Meeting the Challenges of Today's World."

2. Elder Jeffery R. Holland: "Behold They Mother"

3. Elder Bradley D. Foster: "Its never too early and it's never too Late."

 I felt incredibly humbled and the spirit testified to me many times how important my job is as a mother and how important my job is to teach my children the importance of choosing the right as we prepare for the winding up scene before the Saviors return to the earth! Many days/times I feel so inadequate as a mother in hoping that I am teaching Kaleb and Karmindy the things that they need to know; especially teaching them the things that they need to learn to safe guard themselves against Satan's temptations and influence- I feel like I fall short everyday. I have felt like Satan's influence is all around us and is knocking on our door to our home quite frequently; especially this past year. I don't want me, Mark or our beautiful kids to succumb to Satan's temptations- there is nothing I want more than for us to be a forever family!! I know how important it is to continue to make good choices because the spirit remains with us when we do. Many days I fall short by not saying my prayers or reading my scriptures but I know that when I do I feel safe guarded from Satan's temptations. The kids and I have been trying to read the comic scriptures before they leave for school in the mornings and say family prayers. I can tell on the days that we don't read and don't say prayers that our days don't go as well. The messages from the talks that were given on this day were great reminders that I am doing my best, even though I am not perfect but as long as I am pressing forward that I am doing what my Heavenly Father and Savior want me to do.

The kids performed 3 songs during conference, Beautiful Savior, Search, Ponder and Pray and I think when I read that sweet Story of old Medley, Come Follow Me. Each was so beautiful to listen to. They sounded like angels singing. During their musical numbers, my heart swelled not only because of how proud I was of Kaleb but because of the spirit that I felt. I really wished Mark and Karmindy could have been in attendance to hear the children sing and feel the spirit. We were only given one ticket for Mark and I to attend and Kaleb had me go with him. I was thankful for the opportunity to attend with my son and see him perform and to hear the apostles and prophets speak. It will be an experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I also hope Kaleb will treasure this experience as well and will remember how special it was to participate in this session. I also hope Kaleb will remember the special spirit that was felt, as well as the great peace that was felt, there in that great conference center. 

School's In Session

After a month and a half break, school is back in session for the kids. We had a great summer of BBQ's, get togethers with friends, bowling, a day spent at Cowabunga bay water park, scout camp and a trip to Lagoon with Aunt Misty and Uncle Rex and a few house projects that kept us busy. I can't believe how big the kids are getting. Kaleb is in 5th grade and wasn't too excited to be starting a new year. I attribute that to his age and the teenage hormones kicking in. Karmindy, however, was so excited to be starting 2nd grade! Both kids were assigned to A track this year and both the kids got assigned to have some great teachers. Kaleb has Ms. Bator as his teacher this year and is in a portable outside the school since Midas Creek Elementary is growing and running out of room. He was excited to be out in a portable the first few days but the "coolness" factor quickly wore off once he realized that they have to leave the portable and get a special badge  that grants them access into the school to get a drink or go to the bathroom [since their isn't a bathroom or drinking fountain out in the portable]. I don't think he will like the portable come Winter time either since they will have to trudge out in the cold and snow to go into the school for bathroom breaks, lunch and drinks. The schools entrances minus the main entrance remains locked during the day due to safety reasons.

Karmindy got Mrs. Butikofer for her teacher this year and I think she is the perfect fit for Karmindy. Mrs. Butikofer has her credentials for additional training in reading and math, two areas that Karmindy seems to love but struggles a little with. I am glad she has a teacher that can help her do well! After attending back to school night this past Thursday, and getting to know both the teachers a little better, I am confident that both of their teachers will be great fits for the kids and they will be receiving the best education.

In addition to the kids starting school and starting a new chapter in their lives this year, I have also started a new adventure and applied for a job at Midas Creek Elementary[the kids school] and I am spending 2 hours a day helping out in the lunch room during lunch time as a Lunch monitor. I have been wanting a small part time job to get me out of the house since the kids are gone all day to break up the day. This week was my first week and I really enjoyed it. I work from 11:30 to 1:30 everyday. I oversee the kids helping out in the lunchroom, stock napkins, silverware and lunch trays, help with safety, keep the fruit and veggie bar stocked and cleaned and help with some small cleanup after the kids/grades have all gone out to recess to play. It is a fast 2 hours and I have enjoyed it. The only downside to the job is that it falls smack dab in the middle of my day, so before work I don't have time to get too much done and after work, I just want to sit and recoup before the kids get home from school and the business of homework, piano/dance practices, and extracurricular activities and dinner begins. Over all, I am liking the new opportunity and the out it gives me. The extra money isn't bad either!

Each year, I have tried to make a little collage of the kids on their first day of school which includes them in their new school outfit on the first day and their favorite things. Here are a few pictures of the kids on their first day of school.

Kaleb with a couple of his friends on the first day of school. LTR; Damion Ohlson, Aidan Dressen and Kaleb.

And last but not least my sweet baby girl, she was so incredibly excited for her first day of school!

Breakfast and Bowling Birthday Party

We celebrated Kaleb's birthday today with Kaleb's friends by having a Breakfast and Bowling Party. Kaleb doesn't care much for cake or cookies but he does love donuts, so we decided that we would have a Breakfast and Bowling Party. Kaleb invited 7 of his closest friends. His guests were: Tevan Albrecht, Will Searle, Thayne Ward, Damion Ohlsen, Caleb Bradford and Lukas Mendoza.

When Kaleb's friends arrived they came in and gathered around our kitchen table, where we served a breakfast of donuts and then let the boys choose whether they wanted chocolate milk or orange juice to drink. The little bottles of orange juice were a hit!!

We all sang Happy Birthday to Kaleb and I couldn't get over the TEN  candles we had to light on his maple donut (his favorite)! I am having a hard time accepting that my eldest is 10 years old! It truly seems like yesterday that we were driving home with him at the hospital! I feel a little bit old!

After Breakfast was served and Happy Birthdays were sung, we headed into the living room where Kaleb opened his presents from his friends. He was extremely spoiled by his friends and got lots of cool "boy things" to keep him occupied, Legos, a Boomerang, more Legos, and Nerf guns. He also got lots of candy, which I am sure he will hoard in his bedroom until next Halloween. Kaleb takes his sweet time eating candy!

After presents were opened we loaded up the boys in the car and made our way to Delton Lanes, a new bowling alley here in Riverton. It was such a great, clean facility. I am sure we will be frequent visitors here; especially with their great deal of $35 dollars an hour which covers 10 people and shoe rentals. The boys had a great time bowling!

All the boys seemed to have a great time and Kaleb seemed to really enjoy spending the morning with his friends. After checking out and turning in our bowling shoes, we handed out the boys party favors, which included a Bowling Pin Water Bottle and a sleeve of extra large gum balls. I found a cute tag on Pinterest that said, "Thanks for "sparing" the time to come to my party!"
Happy Birthday Bud! Your Family and Friends love you! You are growing up to be such a great kid and we are so proud of you!

Puppy Love

Having a pet is the best and having Kozette as a part of our family for the past four years has been so much fun but also a lot of work! For the past few months Mark and I have talked a lot about selling her but weren't sure how the kids would react. We have loved having Kozette but Mark truly hasn't been a fan of her incessant barking and mess making, and to be honest neither have I. We have really tried to work with her and train her but she has been so stubborn and tends to think she rules the roost here at the Frisbey Residence. After a lot of research on the internet on how I could get her to obey and things we could do different, I discovered it might not necessarily be us, but it was common for the breed to act stubborn and have a hard time training and barking. We really tried everything to get Kozette to stop barking, including a vibrating collar and that would work for awhile and then we would take the collar off and she would go right back to the barking.
After much thought and consideration, we decided to sell her. I had approached some friends of ours that we met while living in Ivins, Utah (Amy and Jeremy Hansen) and knew that they had been looking for a dog back in October. In the end, I decided against selling Kozy. However, over the past few months Mark and I both decided we were kind of over having her and getting the kids to help out by caring for her was like pulling teeth. I also found that even though the kids are in school all day, I was running lots of errands and would be gone for long periods during the day and I would have to leave her alone by herself. It was then, that she started peeing in our Laundry room to get back at me for abandoning her. Passive Agressive behavior? I think so! Fast forward to 2 weeks ago, I called up my friend again and told her that we were again interested in selling Kozette for real this time and she said they were still casually looking. Amy and Jeremy came and looked at her and wanted her on Friday and picked her up this afternoon.
It has been hard having Kozette gone, she has been my fur baby and has been by my side for the past four years. The kids were also disappointed when they found out we were actually selling her for reals this time but its been a week now and they haven't said to much about her being absent from our home. I am probably the only one that really misses her. I told Mark the first night of her being gone, that I felt like a family member was missing.
I am grateful for the opportunity of owning a dog and I am glad that having one has taught my kids responsibilities and how to care for another person. I also think it has helped my kids to know how to act around animals and how to treat them.
We will miss you Kozette!

Tubing at Soldier Hollow

The kids have had such an enjoyable time while being "off track" (school break due to year round school). It's been a long relaxing month. However, I think all of us are ready to get back into a routine. For one last hurrah before the kids returned back to school, Mark and I decided to take the kids to Midway, Utah (about 45 minutes from Riverton) and go tubing at the Soldier Hollow Resort before they return back to school on Monday. We went last year and spent a few days in Midway and loved it. However, this year we decided to forgo the over nighter and just travel up to the mountains for the afternoon. I found a great deal on Groupon dot Com and saved us some money on tickets. We had a great time enjoying the tubing slopes and each others company. The snow was pretty sparse this year at the resort and they had snow machines running. With little snow and man power, we were only able to go tubing down the hillside about 6 times over a two hour time period. Last year, we were  able to go quite a few more times. Soldier Hollow typically has two pulley systems pulling you up the hill but this year they only had one. Regardless, we had a great time and the kids requested we go again next year and make it a family tradition. I love seeing the kids have fun and I really enjoy spending time as a family.

Hurricane Visit

 The kids have been out of school since Christmas and it has been a nice long 4 week break for them and for me. However, the weather, inversion and dark days that happen in January in Northern Utah really start to get to me and Seasonal Depression tends to hit me. This year it hit me hard. Really hard. Maybe it hit harder this year because just a few weeks prior, we were in the Caribbean soaking up the sun and having fun. Having to come back to cold, dark Salt Lake City just didn't sit well. This time of year is always hard and I know that a lot of my dear friends also struggle too with this and so I am grateful I am not alone. 

To combat the dark days here in January, I decided to take the kids on a quick weekend trip to see my family in Hurricane. Mark stayed behind to work and so me and the kids headed out early on a Thursday afternoon after lunch.  When we rolled into LaVerkin (2 minutes from Hurricane)  around 5 p.m. we made a quick stop at the LaVerkin Cemetery to see Bronson's Grave and decorate it with a few Valentine Treasures. We left him a cute stuffed doggy and a vase filled with fake red roses. The kids helped me pick everything out and it was really so nice to go and visit his graveside and brighten it up a little.
After visiting Bronson, we headed to Hurricane and stopped off at my Brother Kaden and his wife Ambers home. We visited with Kaden and Amber and their girls and then we all headed to Arby's to meet my sister Kamberee, her husband Tyler and my nephew Karev for dinner. We had so much fun catching up and visiting.
After dinner, we headed to Kamberee's home to stay and get settled in.

On Friday Morning, we woke up, got ready and had a nice morning of just visiting and letting the kids play together. Around lunch time, we jumped in the car and headed to The Pizza/ Past Factory Express in Washington, Utah for lunch. The kids love their pizza and bread sticks and I love their salad bar, creamy pesto pasta and raspberry lemonade. It was a win-win for everyone.  We met up with my Sister-in-law Amber and her two girls and the cousins had a great time eating lunch together. Kamberee, Amber and I enjoyed catching up but mostly ended up trying to convince the kids to eat lunch so we could get going to our next activity we had planned.

After Lunch was finished, we took the kids to Jumping Jacks in St. George to play on inflated play/jump houses. The kids were in heaven and could barely contain their excitement. It was really a fun afternoon of spending time as sisters and watching our kids play! I have fond memories of getting together with my cousins and I love giving my kids the opportunity to get to know their cousins and form relationships with them. I sure wished we lived closer to my family so we could see them more often. It is hard living so far away from them and only seeing them about 2 times a year.

On Friday night, Kaden and Amber and their girls (Kenna and Adi) came over to Kamberee and Tylers home for pizza, root beer floats and game night. It was such a fun evening.

On Saturday, we spent most of the afternoon at my parents home visiting them and it was nice for my kids to see their grandparents and play with their cousins.

On Sunday, we got up and got ready and then headed back to LaVerkin on our way out of town so we could stop by and see my Grandma and Grandpa DeMille. I sure miss them. It is hard watching your Grandparents grow older. On this particular visit, my Grandpa DeMille had a hard time hearing us. He is losing his hearing and we had to shout at him and even though we shouted at him, I don't think he understood much of what we said. My Grandma gets so frustrated with him and I know it is hard on her because she has to shout at him all day. She said she goes very hoarse by night time trying to communicate to him. It makes me sad. Even though they are both having some health problems, they both seemed to be in good spirits. After our visit was over, she gave the kids some chocolates for the road from her candy dish and kisses on their cheeks and tight squeezes. My grandma walked us to the car and stood in her front yard until we turned the corner. It was humbling to watch her in my review mirror and I admit I started sobbing. She has been such a great influence in my life and since my grandparents are both in their eighties, I always hope our last visit in person and on the phone when we speak every few months won't be our last! My Grandma has been a huge influence in my life and I am a better person for knowing her!
I have such fond memories of going to my Grandparents home on Sunday evenings each week when I was a kid to see them and play with my cousins. My Grandma is such an amazing cook and makes the best bread, friend chicken, macaroni salad and Texas Sheet cake. It wasn't uncommon on Sunday evenings to leave her home with a bag of bread for bread and milk and a piece of Texas Sheet cake each week. She was a great Grandma then and always treated me like I was special. As I have grown older, she still treats me that way and will call every few months to check on me and I call her. I enjoy our visits and cherish them.

Our Trip to Hurricane was a wonderful one and it is always nice to go home to your roots and get your cup filled back up. It truly was a relaxing and renewing trip and nice to escape the hustle and bustle of Salt Lake for the weekend.

Moments of Motherhood

Today, is Kalebs's 10th Birthday. It's been a great day of donuts for Breakfast, piano lessons, opening up present from parents and grandparents, playing with his gifts and going out to eat at Kalebs favorite restaurant, Chili's. He likes their chips and salsa.

I read an article on Facebook today about taking a few minutes each day to write down the things that make you happy during the day. It talked about how mothers occasionally get into the mundane activities of taking care of kids an other responsibilities and sometimes fail to recognize those wonderful moments in motherhood. This article resonated with me because I worry that I don't take the time to enjoy those wonderful moments of motherhood. After reading this article, I wanted to record a moment today that made me so proud. Kaleb takes after me and loves parties, holidays and gifts and it makes my heart so happy when I see how excited he gets to celebrate his birthday and fun holidays throughout the year. In fact, Karmindy also finds joy in celebrating holidays and birthdays too. I think I have passed this sincere excitement down to them both. My parents, brothers and sisters have playfully teased me for years about my enthusiasm for celebrating holidays and that includes birthdays and opening presents so I am glad my kids have a little of me in them.

Today's proud momma moment happened after birthday gifts were all opened. Kaleb was sitting at the kitchen table assembling his newest Minecraft Lego kit, when his sister came in holding a modge podge of a card stock folded into a pocket. She had told me the night before that she was making Kaleb a present and was going to fill her present with money since her brother loves money. Karmindy creatively made bows out of paper and had meticulously colored this handcrafted gift of hers.  She walked up to Kaleb while he was playing with his Legos and said very excitedly, "Brother, I made you a gift and it's got something you have always wanted..." Kaleb was excited to open his gift and took his time opening Karmindys gift. He ooooooed and awwwed over her gift and then his eyes got big when he looked inside. Karmindy had shoved over $15 dollars of her hard earned money inside thr pocket. Kaleb sat there in awe and said a grateful, "Thanks!" Karmindy's response to Kalebs gratefulness, "Brother, I just wanted you to have a nice birthday!"

This was Such a proud mom moment for me to watch my children learning to serve each other and trying to make each other happy. The First thing that made me proud was when Kaleb took the time to acknowledge his sisters gift because it looked like a disheveled mess from the outside. It was so thoughtful though.  Second proud moment, was when Karmindy thought of her brother without any reminder from us and gave him something she knew he would like.

Most days I feel like I screw up real bad at this mother thing, but seeing these small acts take place between my children truly tugs at my heart strings. It makes me so proud to be a mother, their mother. I feel so incredibly blessed and incredibly humble to be Kaleb and Karmindys mother. I hope they will always know and remember how proud I am of them and the wonderful little people they are turning out to be.

New Smile in The Making!

Karmindy has been loosing teeth left and right lately. Losing teeth for Karmindy has become quite the dramatic event. She leaves her teeth in until they are hanging by a strand because she doesn't want anyone to pull them for her. Since Mark hates blood, I am the official tooth puller at the Frisbey Residence, and I kind of like it. I remind the kids that I did after all work in a Dentist office before they were born and had a lot of experience will teeth. This seems to promote some faith in them, that their mom won't hurt them...thank goodness! However, Karmindy is extremely dramatic when I touch her teeth to pull them and will scream and cry and continues her dramatic episode until well after the tooth has left her month. It is quite the sight to behold. After about a half hour of her dramatic episodes she will then get incredibly happy after we remind her that the Tooth Fairy should be paying her a visit! Oh the joys of having a little girl!

Last night, Karmindy lost her other top tooth and she was so excited to put her tooth in our family tooth pillow in hopes that the Tooth Fairy would visit and leave some money! Sadly, the tooth fairy forgot or had a huge work load last night {Huge Parent fail on our part!} . Karmindy was pretty bummed but we reminded her that the Tooth Fairy is a very busy gal and we were positive that she would be by tonight! 

I sure love the kids toothless grins! It does make me sad that my babies aren't babies anymore and are growing up on me! I wish I could bottle them up and stop time and enjoy and savor these milestones a bit more!

Celebrating the New Year!

This year we rang in the New Year with some of our close friends and neighbors. Brett and Nicole Rowe and Joe and Crystal Albrecht and their kids, Cambree and Tevan joined us. 

Our festivities began around 7 p.m. and we started the evening out by munching on appetizers, drinking yummy slush and eating some delicious desserts. After gorging ourselves, the kids played downstairs, while the adults played several games against each other. We had a great time playing games and visiting. When the New Year approached we put on party hats, shot off a cool confetti cannon for the kids and blew on squawkers. The kids seemed to have a great time, including us big kids. 

After we rang in the New Year we headed downstairs to our mak- shift photo booth. I had found a cool background and some photo-booth props at Wal-Mart and had set it all up in the basement. The kids and adults had a great time taking a few pictures before heading home. As a party gift, I wrapped up some Hershey Kisses in some party bags and printed out cute labels that said, "Midnight Kisses" for everyone to take home. It was such a fun evening spent with some of our great friends.